EA’s UFC 4 has done a good job of capturing the action and the feel of the action that happens inside the Octagon leading to some very good reviews. At first glance, it may seem that most of the fighters don’t play that differently from each other beyond some of the top stars like Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya.
RELATED: 5 Things Missing From Previous Games In UFC 4 (& 5 New Things We Love)
However, if one scratches beneath the surface, they will discover that most of the fighters in the game are quite different from their own move sets and distinct combinations and animations made famous in the UFC. There are a lot of special and unique moves that are waiting to be discovered that the top players are already using; here are ten of them.
Updated by Michael Llewellyn on May 20, 2021: Thanks to EA constantly updating their game with brand new fighters, moves, and adjustments to the fighter’s stats, UFC 4 is attracting new players. Thanks to the updates, methods that were effective at launch aren't as effective now. Thankfully, all the moves and combinations on this list still work perfectly if they are used strategically. That said, it never hurts to update this list with even more effective moves and combos that players can use in both offline and online play.
15 Lunging Strike To Inside Leg Kick
The lunging strike to inside leg kick is an effective combo that every player should add to their moves list in UFC 4. It is better suited to fighters that have a long reach, like Israel Adesanya and Jon Jones. However, Dominic Cruz lands very effective lunging strikes with very little effort, so this is a great combo for him. It's a great way to work on an opponent's leg as it’s one of the most fluid combinations in the game. This can be a tricky combo to master, so using the UFC 4’s practice mode is a must.
How To Perform It
- To execute this move, the player needs to flick the right stick toward their opponent.
- Halfway through the animation, hit the Triangle button (or Y on Xbox) to throw a lunging strike.
- This is where it gets tricky – throw the X button (or A button on Xbox) before the strike lands to hit an inside leg kick.
14 The Pull Back Counter
Play online often enough, and one will come across a player that seems to able to counter their every move. This is because there are players that have mastered the pull-back counter. As with all counter moves, the damage can be devastating. This countermove is very useful against players that are spamming left and right hooks.
How To Perform It
- To initiate the pull-back counter, players will need to make sure their opponent is stationary.
- Pull away from the opponent on the right stick just as the opponent throws a hook.
- Perform a straight punch, hook, or uppercut before the pull-back animation has finished.
13 The Head Slip Counter
There are a lot of players online that love to throw one-two and one-two-three-four combinations. This is because they are fast and capable of breaking a fighter’s block and guard, leaving them open to more devastating punches and kicks. The best way for the player to counter the straight punch is by slipping and countering with a move of their own.
How To Perform It
- To perform the slip counter, the player needs to press up or down on the right stick. For example, if the opponent is throwing the left jab first, pull down on the right stick.
- This will move the player character’s head to the outside, leaving the opponent open to a big counterpunch.
12 Overhand To Lead Uppercut Combo
The outside overhand punch is one of the most damaging and annoying punches in the game. The haymaker is devastating enough to floor most opponents in the game when timed correctly and spammed to the point where it can break an opponent's block. Combine the overhand with a lead uppercut, and players will have one of the most overpowered UFC combos in the game. This is a combination that will need to be perfected in the game’s practice mode.
How To Perform It
- To perform the combo, players will need to initiate the overhand punch by pressing R1 (RB on Xbox) and Square or Triangle if southpaw (or X and Y on Xbox).
- Before the animation is finished, quickly press Square and X together (X and A on Xbox) to follow it with a damaging uppercut.
11 Lead Kick To Straight Right Punch
This is a simple but effective combo that’s used to close the distance and land powerful straight right hand – or left in the southpaw stance. The trick to making this combination work is to lure the opponent into thinking that the player’s character is only throwing lead kicks to the head, body, or leg. This will open them up for the outside straight right when their guard has dropped.
How To Perform It
- Make sure there is enough distance between the player’s character and the opponent.
- Throw the lead kick either at the head, body, or leg.
- Before the animation is finished, follow up with a straight right hand with Triangle (or Y on the Xbox).
10 Masvidal’s Running Knee
Jorge Masvidal’s five-second knockout of the previously undefeated Ben Askren has gone down in history as one of the most iconic moments in UFC history. It even helped secure Masvidal’s position as one of the cover stars alongside Israel Adesanya for UFC 4. Unsurprisingly, the developers have added this move in the game as a signature move for Masvidal.
How To Perform It
- Double-tap the R stick toward the opponent to initiate the run.
- Press R2 or RT on the Xbox and the circle button or B button on the Xbox Controller.
9 Fabricio Werdum – Flying Kick
The running flying kick is was performed by Fabricio Werdum in his match against Travis Browne. It’s another highlight-reel moment in the UFC that has found its way into this year’s game. Just like Masvidal’s, the move does have a drawback, in that it can drain Werdum’s stamina. It may be better to perform the flying kick just a few steps away from the opposing fighters.
How To Perform It
- Double press the R stick toward the opponent, and press the L1 button and the circle button down – or LB and the B button on the Xbox – at the same time.
8 Jumping Knee Counter
Getting one’s leg caught can lead to a massive disadvantage in a fight. The opponent can take the player down, drive them up against the fence, or even get catch them with a devastating spinning back fist for the knockdown or a flash KO.
RELATED: EA's UFC 4: 10 Pro Tips To Get You Started
The way to counter this not only looks great, but can lead to easy KO when timed right. This is especially true if the person who has the leg has low stamina or head health. Interestingly, it also counts as a KO from the clinch to unlock the Trophy/Achievement.
How To Perform It
- To counter the leg catch, the player needs to press R2 and L1 together with either circle or X. This will throw an outside jumping knee strike, depending on which leg has been caught.
7 The Showtime Kicks
The Showtime Kick was made famous by Anthony Pettis, when he performed a Matrix-like run from the side of the cage into a jumping roundhouse kick. He can also use the cage rebound into a flying kick when standing in front of an opponent and both of these variations are in the game. The fighter Zabit Magomedsharipov is also capable of doing the Showtime Kick.
How To Perform It
- Players will need to practice regarding position, but the opponent needs to be near the cage. Make sure there is enough distance between Pettis and his opponent.
- Press L1, R1, and either X or circle depending on which leg is on the outside. This will then initiate the Showtime Kick.
- The second move needs the opponent to have their back against the fence, and the same button combination applies. However, be careful not to press the L Stick as the move won't work.
6 The Imanari Roll
The Imanari Roll is one of the coolest looking moves in the game, and is capable of submitting almost anyone if their stamina is low or their leg health has taken a beating. The best thing about the submission is its unpredictability, and there aren’t many players online that have seen it or use it.
How To Perform It
- Select either Tony Ferguson or Zabit Magomedsharipov.
- Press L2 while holding down circle and triangle (or square and if in the southpaw stance).
5 The Osoto-Gari Trip
The Osato-Gari trip is one of the fastest takedown moves in the game, and is great for submission fighters that have a good stand offense as they can initiate it when their opponents are rocked. Both Tony Ferguson and Zabit Magomedsharipov have this move, and it can be very effective when timed correctly.
How To Perform It
- To initiate the Osoto-Gari Trip, the player’s fighter needs to get in close and hold down L2, X, and square at the same time. This will quickly take the opponent down to the ground and put the player in top-side control.
4 Zabit’s Two-Touch Spinning Side Kick
Even though his striking stats say different, Zabit Magomedsharipov has one of the most diverse move sets in the game. Not only is he a great submission fighter, but he has a wide range of kickboxing moves and a significant height and reach advantage over other fighters in his division. One of his most useful weapons is the Two-Touch Spinning Side Kick which takes full advantage of his long legs.
How To Perform It
- Hold down (not press) L2, R1, and the square button.
- Players can hit the body and the head in one quick move, or the first spin kick to the body can function as a feint.
3 Israel Adesanya's Roundhouse Feint To Spinning Back Kick
Israel Adesanya is one of the biggest stars in the UFC right now. He’s outspoken, charismatic, and has the skills to back it up. In the game, he's great at landing multiple combinations with laser accuracy and at a blistering speed, while keeping most fighters at a distance. One very cool combination he can pull off is the roundhouse feint to the spinning back kick. Several other fighters are capable of doing this move, but due to the simplicity of the button combinations and Israel's speed, it’s easier to pull off with Adesanya.
How To Perform It
- First, deliberately miss the lead roundhouse kick by quickly pressing R1 and X.
- Halfway through the animation, press L1, R1, and triangle. This will immediately follow up with a devastating spinning back kick.
2 Dan Henderson’s Lead Leg Kick To Overhand
Despite being a world-class wrestler, Dan Henderson is one of the most devastating strikers to ever compete in MMA. Unfortunately, he’s not the fastest fighter in the game, and the overhand right can be a pretty slow move to pull off for most fighters. However, this quick combo can put many opponents on their backs by catching them by surprise. It will work for all fighters in the game, but given that Henderson has a five-star rating for his overhand right, it’s a very useful tool for getting a quick KO.
How To Perform It
- Press X (or A on the Xbox).
- Immediately follow with R1 and circle (RB and the B button). This UFC combo needs to be pulled off in quick succession.
1 Shogun Rua’s Running Hook
Many fighters have their own unique animations, which adds some authenticity to the fighters like Brock Lesnar’s fall and scramble and gives some fighters unique moves. A good example is Shogun Rua’s running hook. Most fighters in the game can run and land a hook, but Shogun’s animation is unique to him and faster than other fighters in the game. He doesn’t have great stats overall aside from his Muay Thai leg and combinations, but this is an effective tool for players that still like to play him.
How To Perform It
- Double-tap the right stick toward the opponent to initiate the run animation.
- Press L1 and Triangle or Circle – or Y and B on the Xbox pad.
- Don't overuse this move, as it can become predictable and will detrimentally drain stamina.